Trump Campaign Denies Roger Ailes Is Working With Candidate Ahead of Debates

The first presidential debate will be Sept. 26 on Long Island.

Donald Trump's campaign vehemently denies that Roger Ailes, the former head of Fox News who recently resigned amid sexual harassment allegations, is now working with Trump ahead of the presidential debates.

"He is not advising Mr. Trump or helping with debate prep. They are longtime friends, but he has no formal or informal role in the campaign," Hope Hicks, Trump campaign spokeswoman, told The Hollywood Reporter.

On Tuesday morning, TheNew York Timesreported that Ailes was helping the GOP presidential nominee prepare for his debates against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The first presidential debate between Trump and Clinton will be Sept. 26 on Long Island. The Times, quoting anonymous sources, reported that Ailes' role might expand within the campaign after the debates.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in late July, Trump said he would be open to Ailes working on the campaign, although he said at the time he and Alies had not talked about the move. "I would think about it," Trump said then.

Ailes resigned at Fox News on July 21 after he was accused by numerous women of sexual harassment over a period of years.

Updates:

Aug. 16, 9:40 p.m.: This story has been updated with a comment from the Trump campaign.